The pheasant chicks (see 4th July blog) decided to exercise their flying skills in the garden shed, so we decided it was time for them to live outside. Having put them in an outside run near the house they decided that freedom was the way for them and both left for the wild. We expected them to visit the hen food at least and maybe come back to roost, but no sign of them after about a week. We wish them well!

Meanwhile we've been taking some time to renovate and replenish the herb garden. On the right is the new view from the guest private bedroom. It makes a nice, sheltered area to sit, read and have a drink, immersed in a herbal aroma. We enjoy it as do some of our guests- mainly those that aren't in too much of a hurry.

In the corner of the herb garden lies the stone weight from an old cheese press. Cheese presses were used to squeeze the whey from the curd of the cheese. We found this one in the river at the end of the paddock (the North Queich, one of the two main rivers that fill Loch Leven). Whether it originally belonged to this farm or was washed down when the river was in spate we'll probably never know. It measures about 44 w x 49 l x 40 cm high and weighs around 200kg (440 lbs) - it took some effort to recover ! They are quite common in Scotland and there are good examples at the Ceres Folk Museum not far from here. http://www.fifefolkmuseum.org/index.html

The photo shows how they were set up with grooves in the stone either side acting as guides. This one is at Kindrogan Field Studies Centre near Blairgowrie in Perth.

Author

I'm Bob, I worked in the Scotch Whisky industry for over 30 years before retiring at the end of December 2011. I love cooking and meeting people from all over the world. We have a dog, Bertie, he's a blue roan cocker spaniel and helps me go for walks!!